CN102818555A

CN102818555A - System and method for measuring a distance to an object

Info

Publication number: CN102818555A
Application number: CN2012101859935A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C.A.本达尔; D.Hj麦克隆
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 2011-06-09
Filing date: 2012-06-07
Publication date: 2012-12-12
Also published as: JP2012255777A; CA2778516A1; EP2533009A2; EP2533009A3; US10018467B2; US20120314058A1

Abstract

The publication relates to a system and a method for measuring a distance to an object. A system (10) for measuring a distance (12) to an object (14) includes a camera (16) positioned at a location and a signal (30, 32, 34) generated by the camera (16) that is reflective of a camera setting. A controller (18) operably connected to the camera (16) receives the signal (30, 32, 34) and generates an accuracy signal (36) based on the signal (30, 32, 34). The accuracy signal (36) is reflective of a predicted accuracy of a distance (12) measurement. An indicator (38, 42) operably connected to the controller (18) provides an indication reflective of the accuracy signal (36). A method for measuring a distance (12) to an object (14) includes positioning a camera (16) and generating a signal (36) reflective of a predicted accuracy of a distance (12) measurement. The method further includes providing an indication (38, 42) reflective of the signal (36), capturing one or more images of the object (14) at the location, and calculating a distance (12) to the object (14) based on the one or more captured images of the object (14) at the location.

Description

Be used to measure the system and method for object distance

Technical field

The present invention involves the system and method for the distance that is used to measure object substantially.Particularly, various embodiment of the present invention provides the signal of the expectation accuracy of the range observation that reflection can obtain from the one or more images of object.

Background technology

The various system and methods that are used to measure the distance of object known in the art.For example, can use laser, sound or other energy pulse computed ranges that reflects from body surface.Yet these systems can not be contained in the finite space too expensive and/or too greatly.Therefore, the various technology of having developed so-called triangulation, measurement in space and/or 3-D photography etc. calculate one or more distances of object with a plurality of images of the object taken under the optical condition that is based on various variations.For example, the analysis of the length of the various shades in the image, angle and/or width can be used for calculating the distance of object.The shape, geometric configuration or the profile that can be used for confirming object to the set of the computed range of object then.

The accuracy of the various distances that existing measuring technique usually allows to confirm or to calculate.Yet the accuracy of various calculated distance is substantially based on catching image and/or based on the calculating of catching image.Therefore, the accuracy of various computed ranges only causes that the time related with the image of catching object is available with the cost back substantially.Under the situation of accuracy less than expectation of various distances, must repeat time related and cost with the image of catching object.Therefore, the system and method for indication of the accuracy that follow-up distance calculation is provided that is used to measure the distance of object will be useful.

Summary of the invention

Aspect of the present invention and advantage are set forth in description hereinafter, maybe can become obviously from explanation, maybe can learn through putting into practice the present invention.

One embodiment of the present of invention are the systems that are used to measure the distance of object.This system comprises the filming apparatus that is placed in the position and at least one signal that is generated by this filming apparatus of this position, the wherein setting of this at least one signal reflection filming apparatus.Be connected to controller function this filming apparatus and receive this at least one signal and generate accuracy signal based on this at least one signal.The expectation accuracy of the range observation that the reflection of this accuracy signal can obtain from one or more images of the object of being caught by the filming apparatus of this position.The indicator that is operatively coupled to controller provides the indication of reflection accuracy signal.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is the method that is used to measure the distance of object.This method comprises filming apparatus is placed in respect to the position of object and generates the signal of the expectation accuracy of the range observation that reflection can obtain from the one or more images by the object of catching at the filming apparatus of this position.One or more image calculation of catching of object that this method further comprises indication that this signal of reflection is provided, catch one or more images of object in this position and be based on this position are to the distance of object.

Additional embodiments more of the present invention is the method that is used to measure the distance of object, and it comprises filming apparatus is placed at least one in being provided with respect to the position of object and exposure setting or the gain of confirming the filming apparatus of this position.This method comprises that further in being provided with based on the exposure setting of the filming apparatus of this position or gain at least one generates signal, wherein the expectation accuracy of this signal reflection range observation that can obtain from one or more images of the object of being caught by the filming apparatus of this position.In addition, this method one or more image calculation of catching of object of comprising indication that reflected signal is provided, catch one or more images of object in this position and being based on this position are to the distance of object.

When looking back instructions, those skilled in the art will recognize characteristic and aspect and other of such embodiment better.

Description of drawings

To those skilled in that art of the present invention fully with enable open (comprising its optimal mode) and more specifically in the remainder of this instructions, set forth, it is with reference to accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the functional block diagram of the system of the distance that is used to measure object according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is the algorithm of the method for the distance that is used to measure object according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is the exemplary vision indication in the view finder;

Fig. 4 is the exemplary 3-D view that is based on the object of the condition generation of describing among Fig. 3 by system;

Fig. 5 is the exemplary vision indication in the view finder; And

Fig. 6 is the exemplary 3-D view that is based on the object of the condition generation of describing among Fig. 5 by system.

Embodiment

Now will be in detail with reference to current embodiment of the present invention, its one or more examples illustrate in the accompanying drawings.Specify and use numeral and digital code to refer to the characteristic among the figure.Figure with the explanation in similar or similar code name be used in reference to the generation similar or similar part of the present invention.

Unrestricted mode of the present invention provides each example so that mode of the present invention to be described.In fact, in the present invention can make various modifications and variation and do not depart from scope of the present invention or spirit will be tangible for those skilled in that art.For example, the characteristic that illustrates or be described as the part of an embodiment can be used to produce additional embodiments again on another embodiment.Thereby, being intended to the present invention and containing such modification and variation, they drop in the scope of the claim of enclosing and their equivalent.

Various embodiment of the present invention is provided for measuring the system and method for the distance of object, and can be used for confirming shape, geometric configuration or the profile of this object then to this distance of this object.System and method provides the indication of the accuracy of the range observation that reflection can obtain from one or more images of the object of being caught by the filming apparatus of specific location.Based on this indication,, can before catching one or more images, settle filming apparatus to realize the accuracy of the expectation of range observation again like expectation.

Fig. 1 provides the functional block diagram of the system 10 of the distance 12 that is used to measure object 14 according to an embodiment of the invention.This system 10 comprises the filming apparatus 16 that is operatively coupled to controller 18 substantially.Use like this paper, term " filming apparatus " comprises any device that can catch one or more images of object, numeral for example known in the art or simulation filming apparatus.For example, as illustrated in fig. 1, filming apparatus 16 can comprise aperture 20, alternately cover or expose the collapsible shutter 22 of this aperture 20, the lamp 26 that is used to collect the lens 24 of light and is used for illuminating objects 14.In order to catch image, shutter 22 exposes aperture 20, and lens 24 will focus on the recording medium 28 through the light of aperture 20.

Filming apparatus 16 can be incorporated known in the art being used for into filming apparatus 16 is placed in borescope or other device (not shown) with respect to the position of object 14.In case be placed in this position, 16 pairs of controllers of filming apparatus 18 generate a plurality of signals, the various settings in its reception and registration or the reflection filming apparatus 16, and the one or more combination in the signal can be used for being determined to the relative distance of object.For example; Filming apparatus 16 (for example can generate the setting of reflection lamp; Open and close or brightness) the gain signal 34 of the related gains setting of light signal 30, exposure signal 32 that reflection exposure is provided with (for example, aperture 20 width, shutter 22 speed) and/or reflection and filming apparatus 16.Each setting can manually be set up or set up automatically through the routine operation rules or the programming that are included in the filming apparatus 16 by the operator.For example, suppose not to be calibrated the reflection strength of illumination square proportional with to the distance of object by the illumination that lamp 26 produces.Therefore, for given light intensity, exposure is provided with and/or gains to be provided with must be increased when the distance to object increases, to keep given brightness of image level.Thereby for given light signal 30, exposure signal 32 and gain signal 34 can be used for being indicated to the relative distance of object with estimating.Those skilled in that art should be appreciated that; Filming apparatus 16 can have extra setting and generate extra signal in this certain embodiments, and the example of front and do not mean that the exclusive list of all settings that are the signal association that generates with filming apparatus 16 and/or by filming apparatus 16.

As described herein, the technique effect of controller 18 is based on the one or more accuracy signals 36 that generate in the

signal

30,32,34 that is generated by filming apparatus 16.Controller 18 can comprise individual components or subassembly, and it is included in any computer system known in the art, for example portable computer, personal computer, microcomputer or mainframe computer.Various controllers 18 and computer system that this paper discusses are not limited to any specific hardware framework or configuration.The embodiment of the system and method that this paper sets forth can realize providing the functional of expectation by the one or more general or controller of automatic measurement of reorganization in any suitable manner.For example, controller 18 can be adapted and become to provide the additional functionality complementary or irrelevant with this purport.When using software, the language of any suitable programming, script or other types or the combination of language can be used for the instruction that realizes that this paper comprises.Yet this paper sets forth and discloseder system and methods also can realize that it includes but not limited to special circuit by hardwired logic or other circuit.Certainly, the software of computing machine execution or the various combinations of hardwired logic or other circuit also can be fit to.

Controller 18 receive one or more in the

signals

30,32,34 and with these signals separately or jointly with one or more preset limits relatively.For example; The accuracy of most of measuring system based on triangulation is to the distance increase of object the time and non-linear reducing, and preset limit can comprise the various combinations of light signal 30, exposure signal 32 and/or the gain signal 34 of the expectation accuracy that is mapped to range observation.Thereby controller 18 can be based on separately one or more in the

signal

30,32,34 or be jointly relatively come to confirm the expectation accuracy of the range observation that can obtain from one or more images of the object 14 of being caught by the filming apparatus 16 of position with this of one or more preset limits.For example, high light signal 30, low exposure signal 32 and low gain signal 34 can be individually or are used to catch the extraordinary condition of the image of object 14 with certain common indication in combination, thereby cause higher expectation accuracy.On the contrary, low light signal 30, high exposure signal 32 and high gain signal 34 can be individually or are used to catch the not too advantageous conditions of the image of object 14 with certain common indication in combination, thereby cause lower expectation accuracy.Those skilled in that art can easily recognize the actual signal that is compared and be applied to the relative weighting of each signal can be under the situation that does not have undo experimentation or research based on the various special parameters such as character of surface, desired distance and preset limit of for example specific filming apparatus 16, object 14 and confirm.

As illustrated in fig. 1; Controller 18 is based on the one or more accuracy signals 36 that generate in the

signal

30,32,34, wherein the expectation accuracy of the accuracy signal 36 reflections range observation that can obtain from one or more images of the object 14 of being caught by the filming apparatus 16 of position.The indicator that is operatively coupled to controller 18 receives accuracy signal 36 and the indication that reflects accuracy signal 36 is provided.This indication can comprise, for example, for example numeral or simulation drawing target Visual Display 38, it is included in accuracy signal 36 is transported in operator's the view finder 40.Alternatively, or in addition, this indication can comprise loudspeaker, and it produces audio frequency indication or the sound 42 that similarly accuracy signal 36 is transported to the operator.

Fig. 2 provides the process flow diagram or the algorithm of the method for the distance that is used to measure object 14 according to an embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 3-6 provides the various Visual Display 38 of object 14 with 3-D view this method to be described.At frame 50, the operator is placed in the position with respect to object 14 with filming apparatus 16.At frame 52, various being arranged on set up in the filming apparatus 16 to improve the Video Capture at this position object 14 automatically or manually.For example, the working specification or the programming that are included in the routine in the filming apparatus 16 can be used for setting up automatically various settings, available various other optics settings in the for example brightness of lamp 26, open the door 22 speed, focusing, gain and the filming apparatus 16.Alternatively, or in addition, as expecting that the operator can manually set up or rewrite any setting in being provided with.At frame 54, filming apparatus 16 is confirmed to be provided with and controller 18 is generated one or more signals that reflection is provided with.For example, like previous description, filming apparatus 16 can generate light signal 30, exposure signal 32 and/or gain signals 34 to controller 18.

At rhombus 56 places, controller 18 is with one or

more signals

30,32,34 and one or more preset limit comparison and generate the signal 36 of the expectation accuracy of the range observation that reflection can obtain from one or more images of the object 14 of being caught by the filming apparatus 16 of position.At frame 58, thereby signal 36 generates the indication (for example, the vision or the sense of hearing) of reflected signal 36 and reflection expectation accuracy.For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the low relatively expectation accuracy of any range observation that vision 38 reflections in the view finder 40 obtain from one or more images of the object 14 of being caught by the filming apparatus 16 of position.Therefore, the operator can be through filming apparatus 16 be relocated to new position at frame 50 start method from the beginning to the end, as by 60 indications of the line among Fig. 2.By contrast, the high relatively expectation accuracy of any range observation of obtaining from one or more images of the object 14 of catching of the Visual Display in the view finder shown in Fig. 5 40 38 reflection by the filming apparatus 16 of position.Therefore, the operator can continue other image capturing and calculate the distance of object 14.

At frame 62, system 10 catches one or more images of object 14, and at frame 64, system 10 uses the image of catching to confirm or calculate one or more distances of object 14.For example, system 10 can use the one or more technology that are called triangulation, measurement in space and/or 3-D photography many-sidedly, but the particular measurement technology is not restriction of the present invention, enumerates only if in claim, have specifically.Fig. 4 provides the exemplary 3-D view 66 that is based on the object 14 of the condition generation of describing among Fig. 3 by system 10.As shown in Fig. 4, be inaccurate relatively to the calculated distance of object 14, thereby produce corresponding inaccurate 3-D view 66 that it comprises the mark of profile on the surface of a large amount of noises and other inaccurate measurements or object 14.By contrast, Fig. 6 provides the exemplary 3-D view 66 that is based on the object 14 of the condition generation of describing among Fig. 5 by system 10.As shown in fig. 6, be relatively accurate to the calculated distance of object 14, thereby produce corresponding 3-D view accurately 66 that it is more closely near profile of object 14.Therefore; Various system and method for the present invention offered the indication of the expectation accuracy of operator's range observation before the operator proceeds consuming time and image capturing that maybe be expensive and distance calculation process, thereby the permission operator settles again or adjusts filming apparatus 16 and realize the accuracy expected.

This written explanation usage example is with open the present invention, and it comprises optimal mode, and makes that any technician can put into practice the present invention in this area, comprises making and use any method that comprises of any device or system and execution.Claim of the present invention is defined by the claims, and can comprise other examples that those skilled in that art expect.If they comprise not the written language various structure element with claim other examples like this, if perhaps they comprise that written language with claim does not have other equivalent structure element of solid area then is defined in the scope of claim.

List of parts

Figure 2012101859935100002DEST_PATH_IMAGE001

。

Claims

1. system (10) that is used to measure the distance (12) of object (14) comprising:

A. be placed in the filming apparatus (16) of position;

B. at least one signal (30,32,34) that generates by the said filming apparatus (16) of said position, wherein said at least one signal (30,32,34) reflects the setting of said filming apparatus (16);

C. be operatively coupled to the controller (18) of said filming apparatus (16); Wherein said controller (18) receives said at least one signal (30; 32,34) and based on said at least one signal (30,32; 34) generate accuracy signal (36), wherein said accuracy signal (36) reflects the expectation accuracy of measuring from the distance (12) of one or more images acquisitions of the said object (14) of being caught by the said filming apparatus (16) of said position; And

D. be operatively coupled to the indicator (38,42) of said controller (18), wherein said indicator (38,42) provides the indication of the said accuracy signal of reflection (36).

2. the system of claim 1 (10), it further comprises preset limit, wherein said controller (18) is with said at least one signal (30,32,34) and said preset limit relatively.

3. like each described system (10) among the claim 1-2, wherein said indication comprises Visual Display (38).

4. like each described system (10) among the claim 1-3, wherein said indication comprises sound (42).

5. like each described system (10) among the claim 1-4, at least one during the exposure setting of the said filming apparatus (16) of the said position of wherein said at least one signal (32,34) reflection or gain are provided with.

6. like each described system (10) of claim 1-5, it further comprises the lamp (26) that is operatively coupled to said filming apparatus (16).

7. method that is used to measure the distance (12) of object (14) comprises:

A. filming apparatus (16) is placed in the position with respect to said object (14);

B. generate the signal (36) of the expectation accuracy that distance (12) that indication obtains from one or more images of the said object (14) of being caught by the said filming apparatus (16) of said position measures;

C., the indication (38,42) of the said signal of reflection (36) is provided;

D. catch one or more images of said object (14) in said position; And

E. be based on the distance (12) of one or more image calculation of catching of the said object in said position (14) to said object (14).

8. method as claimed in claim 7, it further comprises the vision indication (38) that shows the said signal of reflection (36).

9. like each described method among the claim 7-8, it further comprises the audio frequency indication (42) that generates the said signal of reflection (36).

10. like each described method among the claim 7-9, it further comprises at least one in being provided with of exposure setting or the gain of the said filming apparatus (16) of confirming said position.

11. like each described method among the claim 7-10, its further comprise during the exposure setting of the said filming apparatus (16) of said position or gain be provided with at least one and preset limit relatively.

12. like each described method among the claim 7-11, it comprises that further in being provided with based on the exposure setting of the said filming apparatus (16) of said position or gain at least one generates said signal (36).

13. like each described method among the claim 7-12, it further comprises the 3-D view (66) that generates said object (14).

14. like each described method among the claim 7-13, it further comprises and illuminates said object (14).